Laces

[Keith]

At seven, I tied my shoes
for the first time.
Other kids had long since
mastered shoe-tying. I was the last one
to make the knot first, then the bow.

At six, what I’d worn wasn't tied.
Two steel braces fastened to a cuff
above my knee, and were worn
even while sleeping. With each step
there was a metal click like a bone snapping
into place.

So, at seven, I had new shoes,
and I learned to run, and jump and play kickball--
knot than bow, knot than bow.
Sometimes, I tied them just for fun.

~~~


We were discussing the idea of personal poems in another thread, and the comment was made about what do you do with the old stuff you've written. For me it mostly sits in files and I don't touch it, post it, or think about it. Here's something I wrote more than 20 years ago (with very slight updates). This was the first poem I wrote where I felt I was starting to hear my voice in the work. I'm not sure if this is salvageable, but figured I would post it because it popped into my head after reading the other thread. I worry that it's too sentimental. Thanks all.

You are blessed to own such a back catalogue, I always enjoy your threads but seldom have anything constructive to offer you, love the feel and simplicity of the last line. Thanks for sharing TOMH